Stuffed Vegetables (Gemista)
Stuffed Vegetables (Gemista) are a beloved Greek classic—vibrant tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and eggplants filled with fragrant rice, herbs, and occasionally meat, all baked in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting, garden-inspired dish blends tradition with simple elegance.
Ingredients
- 5 ripe tomatoes
- 5 bell peppers
- 2 zucchinis
- 300 g rice
- 1 bunch parsley
- 1 bunch mint
- 2-3 onions, finely chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- Salt
- Pepper
- Sweet paprika
- Olive oil
- 300 g water
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables
- Cut the tops off the peppers and remove the seeds from the caps.
- Slice the tops off the tomatoes and carefully scoop out the insides with a spoon, being cautious not to break the shells. Grate the tomato flesh into a mixing bowl.
- Wash the zucchinis, trim the ends, and cut a slice lengthwise. Scoop out the insides with a small spoon, and grate them into the same bowl as the tomato flesh.
- Make the Filling
- Chop the mint, parsley, onions, and garlic finely. Add them to the bowl with the grated tomatoes and zucchinis.
- Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and a generous drizzle of olive oil.
- Add the rice (approximately 1 tablespoon per tomato) and mix well. If the vegetables are large, add 3-4 extra tablespoons of rice.
- Stuff the Vegetables
- Fill the tomatoes, peppers, and zucchinis with the rice mixture using a spoon. Arrange them neatly in a baking dish.
- Bake
- Add the water to the baking dish, along with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil over the stuffed vegetables.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180-190°C (355-375°F) for about 60 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Add more water during baking if needed.
- Optional Variation
- You can also use eggplants for stuffing—they are equally delicious!
A Tomato-Baked Elixir
In Stuffed Vegetables (Gemista), hollowed fresh vegetables are filled with a seasoned mixture of rice, onions, garlic, oregano, mint, and olive oil, then nestled into a pan with pastries or potatoes and slow-baked in a tomato-base until tender and richly flavored.
Why It’s Irresistible
Gemista balances juicy vegetables and fluffy rice with fragrant herbs and olive-oil richness, offering a harmonious tapestry of textures and aromas.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Stuffed Vegetables (Gemista) warm as a wholesome vegetarian main or alongside grilled meats. A crunchy salad or crusty bread completes the perfect Mediterranean table.
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